Allium sphaerocephalon is found in the wild across all parts of Europe except in the northern and western countries (Scotland, Ireland, Netherlands, Scandinavia, and the Baltic States).

[3][4] Its native range extends to northern Africa and to western Asia as far east as Iran.

The spherical "head" (technically an umbel) is borne on a long scape, up to 50 cm in height, usually in July.

Small bulblets are present under the outer layer of the stem (making the plant potentially invasive when grown in gardens).

Individual flowers are reddish-purple and are occasionally replaced by bulbils (again making this a potentially invasive species).